The document tells a story about a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him nails and told him to hammer one in the fence every time he lost his temper. Over several weeks, as the boy learned to control his anger, he hammered fewer nails each day. When he went one day without losing his temper, his father had him start pulling out nails. Eventually, all the nails were gone. However, the father showed the boy the holes still in the fence, saying angry words leave scars like the holes, even if you apologize.

1. Story To Reflect Upon
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Bad Temper
There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him
a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must
hammer a nail into the back of the fence.
The first day, the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next
few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails
hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier
to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told
his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out
one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days
passed and the boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails
were gone.
The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said,
"You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The
fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave
a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It
won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry the wound is still there.
A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one."
Reflections
* The mental defilement of Dosa ( Anger, hatred, ill will, jealousy,
temper and resentment ) is a very terrible one ... it can drive a
person to do irrational and wrongful actions that can hurt others.
* One has to be always mindful of one's thoughts, speech and
actions lest one hurts another through them.
* One can practice the Meditation on Loving-kindness to curb
anger and ill will.

2. A Rebellious Story To
Little Bird Reflect Upon
34
A Rebellious Little Bird
There was once a little bird who decided to rebel against tradition, and
when it came time to fly south for the winter, he decided to stay behind.
All the other birds flew south for the warmer weather, leaving the
rebellious one alone.
Of course, it wasn't long before the little bird discovered he had made a
terrible mistake. Winter set in and it became very cold. So, he decided
that he had better take off and fly south like his friends.
He started flying, but didn't get very far before the cold north wind
began to freeze his wings, and he went plummeting down, down,
down ... He fell straight down from the sky, through an open hole in the
rooftop of a nearby barn, and directly into a fresh pile of cow dung.
Well, the warmth thawed out his wings, and soon he was feeling fine
again. But, as his little head popped out from the smelly dung, along
came a cat who plucked him up and ate him.
Reflection
* How often have we acted foolishly without careful thought and
contemplation? Foolish impulsive actions could lead to painful
consequences.
* One cannot really know what is in store ahead ... one's destiny is
unknown and uncertain. One 'fortunate' or 'good' happening can be
soon followed by a most 'unfortunate' happening.
* Live mindfully. Be more in the 'NOW'. The future is uncertain. Live a
life of positive thoughts, positive speech and positive actions ... Nature
will take its course. One's 'destiny' will be shaped by a series of 'causes
and effects'.